SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Pepperdine women's soccer's Tatum Wynalda, class of 2026, signed a short-term contract with San Diego Wave FC, the club announced Wednesday.
 
"We're all incredibly proud of Tatum," head coach Tim Ward said. "She's such a very special player with match winning qualities. Her soccer IQ and athletic attributes allow her to play in so many places on the field, and yet it is her ability around the goal that separates from most."
 
"Most importantly, she truly is an amazing young woman of character and passion," Ward continued. "She has a fire for the game and the pursuit of excellence that is uncommon. Everyone here is so proud of her and we are so excited to see how she will continue to excel on this new NWSL stage!!!"
 
Wynalda tallied 13 goals and 17 assists throughout her collegiate career, earning a spot on the All-WCC team her freshman year, All-WCC second team her sophomore and junior years, capping it off with All-WCC first team her senior year. The senior, graduating this coming May, also tabbed a spot on the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region second team this season.
 
The Thousand Oaks native is the latest signee to join an elite group of professional Waves. Pepperdine actively has seven players across the two professional leagues. Most recently, Hannah Seabert joined Angel City midseason last year as a part of the National Women's Soccer League after playing overseas in Portugal for several seasons. With Pepperdine representation in the other professional league, alumna Tori Zierenberg Waldeck ('24) most recently signed with the Spokane Zephyr FC in the United Soccer League last summer.
 
With the NWSL doing away with the draft process altogether last year, prospective signees are invited to camp to train with the team before inking a contract. Wynalda has been with San Diego as a part of their preseason roster since mid-January.
 
"I feel so honored and grateful to be signing with the Wave," Wynalda said. "It is truly a dream come true. This experience has been nothing short of surreal and the feeling is indescribable. I am so excited to be representing such a great city."
 
The NWSL season is slated to begin March 13.
 
ABOUT PEPPERDINE WOMEN'S SOCCER
Pepperdine women's soccer has been competitive since season one in 1993. As just the third head coach in the program's history, Tim Ward has led the Waves to 15 NCAA tournament appearances, winning the West Coast Conference six separate times and taking his squad to the round of 16 four times, most recently in 2021. With 24 winning seasons, Ward has proven he can lead consistently with excellence, garnering an overall record of 320-157-78.
 
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